Shelter in Place Briefly Ordered as Belmont Police Search for Robbery Suspect

Police asked residents in a Belmont neighborhood to shelter in place briefly Tuesday evening as they searched for a robbery suspect. Cheryl Hurd reports. (Published Tuesday, June 27, 2017)

A man who tried to sell marijuana at a shopping center in Belmont Tuesday evening was attacked and injured by an armed suspect who fled the scene, police said.

At 6:25 p.m., Belmont police responded to multiple calls of a physical fight in the south parking lot of the Carlmont Shopping Center at 1049 Alameda de las Pulgas. When officers arrived, they found a man with injuries that were not considered life threatening.

According to police, an investigation revealed that the victim, a 22-year-old Belmont man, went to the shopping center's parking lot to sell marijuana.

During the transaction, he was pistol-whipped by the male suspect who then stole his backpack, which contained marijuana, and fled the scene.

Police arrived and began to search for the suspect, who was located around 7 p.m. in the 1100 block of Ladera Way. A foot pursuit ensued and the suspect fled into Belmont Creek, running west into a culvert that goes underneath the shopping center, police said.

Police issued a shelter-in-place advisory for the area. Officers searched for almost two hours, but did not find the suspect, police said.

According to police, the suspect is described as an Asian or Hispanic male, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 160 pounds, with medium complexion, black curly hair and a tattoo on the left side of his neck. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and red shorts and carrying a black backpack.

The suspect was also armed with a semi-automatic handgun, police said.

According to police, the suspect was wearing additional clothing during the robbery, which they believe was discarded in the area of Ladera Way. Police believe he may have discarded a dark-colored hoodie, light brown or orange sweatpants and a brown ski mask.

Residents in the area of the 1100 block of Ladera Way are asked to check their yards for these items. If found, residents are urged not to touch the items, and to call police.

Police said this was not a random attack, but that the victim was specifically targeted for the marijuana.